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How can you help unemployed neighbors? Put food on their tables, says Salvation Army

VINELAND – The Salvation Army, launching an Adopt a Family food drive, is asking those who can donate non-perishable items to provide a meal for a local family in need.

Items like pasta and jars of sauce or boxes of macaroni and cheese will help the growing line of people seeking food assistance due to COVID-19 related business closures and job cuts.

Before the coronavirus struck, the Salvation Army was a safety net to about 120 families per week who came to the 733 E. Chestnut Ave. distribution center, said Aubrie Bonestell, a case manager. That has now soared to more than 400 families.

The mission is asking for the community’s help to ensure people do not go hungry.

The next two Wednesdays, April 22 and April 29, the Salvation Army will host no-contact donation drives between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Those days, no public food distribution is scheduled so there will be no additional traffic at the site.

Donors are asked to pull off South Eighth Street into the marked driveway behind Ash’s Plant & Flower Shop. Follow the path to rear of the Salvation Army building where there will be designated donation tables.

“They don’t have to physically get out of their car,” Bonestell said. “They can roll down their window, drop the items on the table, and they can keep moving through the drive-through.”

The drops will help comply with COVID-19 self-distancing precautions.

“We will put up signs and we’ll make it real easy,” she said.

A bag of items for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner would be appreciated. If you're wondering what to give, look at your own table for inspiration, Bonestell suggested.

“What would you use in your daily life, what are their kids eating?” Bonestell said.

School, restaurant and retail employees make up the majority of the new additions seeking assistance, Bonestell said.

“We did interviews; there are a lot of people who have lost their jobs,” Bonestell said. “They are waiting on their unemployment - we hear that about a hundred times a day.”

Those who come for help find themselves in similar situations.

“You are waiting on food stamps; you’re waiting for unemployment,” Bonestell said “How do you feed your family if you have neither of those incomes and your paycheck has completely stopped?”

Tapping a federal grant, the Salvation Army purchases discounted food items from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to supplement donations.

The Salvation Army is able to provide the basics, Bonestell said, adding they could use some help with comfort items, including kid-friendly cereal, cookies and juice.

“That would be nice to have and something we don’t get too much of,” she said, noting youngsters are home with school buildings closed.

With staffing limitations, it’s difficult to solicit items from local food vendors, but the Salvation Army welcomes any assistance the local business community can provide.

“We would love it,” Bonestell said. “We would appreciate it.”

Toiletries, cleaning supplies, and baby items are also needed.

To arrange a donation, contact the Salvation Army at (856) 696-5050.

Deborah M. Marko is a senior reporter with The Daily Journal. Currently focused on breaking news and education issues, she also oversees community outreach programs that promote literacy and public safety. Got a story idea? Call 856-563-5256. Follow on Twitter: @dmarko_dj Instagram: deb.marko.dj Help support local journalism with a The Daily Journal subscription.